that antime you send something media the PO can open it no matter what???

It was strange a few books of mine were lost and they were all Star Trek. So I started sending them thru a different PO when Star Trek was ordered. Then i was talking with a postal worker and they said they are legaloly able to open media mail whenever they want. SO what if they knew they were books and wanted to take a quick look at them, they could and they could take them......

I know it sounds paranoid... But it is possible!!

Especially when you live in a small town as I do and people know you have star trek books... I dont know... sounds crazy though doesnt it.. LOLOLO

Yep.

Too many people send stuff that doesn't qualify as Media Mail under the Media Mail rate.  I don't blame the PO one bit for inspecting.

But if they open it and find it is allowable media, like a book or Dvd, then they are supposed to seal it up (or put it in a mail bag) with a sticker saying why it was opened and send it on it's way to orginal destination.  If they don't, or whether or not they keep it or toss I am pretty sure that is mail theft and they are in big trouble.

So it could be a coincidence but you might mention that "coincidence" to your PostMaster not saying you suspect theft just that it's odd that it only your Trek books from that PO seem to go lost and let him go from there. 

Good luck!

Hhmm, I would think that risking a federal offense of tampering with the mail and theft would deter someone from going through all the trouble for a little ol book they could pick up for $7.

Were the Star Trek books mailed out at (roughly) the same time? If so, they might well be sitting in the same Media Mail "penalty box" together enroute collecting dust until it is decided they can go out on a shipment.

I've never received a Media Mail package that'd been opened for inspection, but as long as they re-sealed the pacakage securely, I wouldn't mind if that happens (once in a while). It's my understanding that should there be non-eligible items inside, the recipient gets stuck with (the upgrade difference for) postage due for First Class, rather than having the package returned to sender.

They were all shipped out roughly the same time... so that is a possibility!

Good thought, thanks!

Creepy. I always tape up my packages VERY VERY VERY well so they'd have to cut mine open to get into them. But still it creeps me out thinking of post workers opening up my mail. I can understand why they would do random cheaks though.

Ashley

Yes, that's the way it is with media mail.   The people at my post office remind me each time I mail a book madia mail.   It's one way they keep the cost down - catch the people abusing the system.

I have a few packages, all hardcover Debbie macomber books, mailed out the same day, all going to the same state (but to 2 different people in different cities).  I sent them from the main PO using the APC.  The "lost date" is Dec 10th.  I mailed on Nov 13th.  Those are the only things I mailed that day that have not arrived.

So, yes, your star trek is probably sitting in the same "penetly box" as my Debbie macomber books--and I really want to get my 4 credits--these are hardcover books!!!!!!

Maybe we just need to start putting flyers for PBS in all our shipments. That way if they are opened they can see easily that it was sent and how they too can join in the fun..LOL

My local PO is bad at opening stuff all the time, we at work send things via library mail and that too can be opened and usually does if its over a certain weight.

Not much we can do to stop them but its always good to report something if it does go missing. Might not be your package they find wedged down the back of some weird place but someone will be happy.

As for lost items, I had a book sent from San Diego area around the time of those bad fires, it took over a month for that book to get to me. Lets just say its been around the US more then I have..LOL But I got it and it was in good shape, shame you cant get frequent flyer miles on books.

Just think the number of packages sent vs the number that get lost.

But really the fact it was all star trek books does sound alittle fishy ( or would that be trekkie?) since those books can be worth something.

Also, some members send books with the entire wrapper (including the printout that has the Information to the Shipper/Receiver and the book info) on the outside of the package.  I think if you encountered a not-so-great Postal employee, this would make it easier for them to "see" what might be available inside the package.

Yeah, I got a package once (the sender used an old priority box, turned inside out, too), where they printed the 1 page label, and taped the whole thing to the box (and it didn't need to be in a box--it was just the guide to a video game (for my nephew)